Microencapsulation of clofibrate and dissolution characteristics of clofibrate microcapsules were investigated. Spherical droplets of clofibrate, prepared by a capillary jet method, were encapsulated in gelatin by simple coacervation, using sodium sulfate as the coacervating agent. The microcapsules, which were hardened up to 8 hr with formaldehyde, were recovered as discrete, free-flowing particles. Dissolution of clofibrate from the microcapsules was not adequately described by either square root of time or Langenbucher kinetics but follbwed predominantly zero-order release patterns at all hardening times. A linear correlation was found between the hardening time and the t s m release time.
Keyphrases 0 Clofibrate-microcapsules prepared, release rate studied Microcapsules-clofibrate, preparation described, release rate studied Dosage forms-microcapsules, clofibrate, preparation described, release rate studied 0 Release rate-clofibrate from microcapsules Hypocholesterolemic agents-clofibrate, microcapsules, preparation described, release rate studied Clofibrate USP, a liquid hypocholesterolemic agent with an unpleasant odor and taste, is administered a t rather frequent time intervals (1). Because of these properties, microencapsulation of the drug may result in a more acceptable and effectiv'e dosage form.
Simple coacervation with gelatin has been known for many years (2) and has been studied as a means of encapsulation for various pharmaceuticals and chemicals (3). Only a few reports of the dissolution characteristics of such microcapsules are available (4-7), possibly because of the difficulty of obtaining discrete, free-flowing, and reproducible microcapsules.
This study reports the microencapsulation of clofibrate by simple coacervation with gelatin and the effect of hardening time on the dissolution of the microcapsules.